Sweeter Perspectives

Two birthdays in one weekend can be quite a hassle or a blessing. Both actually. But it just depends on you really. So I took the opportunity to make these two days really memorable and I just wanted to share with you the sweeter perspective of each moment.

Hopefully I can get those sweet recipes to share with you soon, but for now I really must be going.

And here are the recipes:

Choc Cupcakes With Hazelnut Frosting

Makes 5-6

Ingredients:

45 grams unsalted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

20 grams ground almond

1/2 cup self raising flour

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

30 grams chocolate

Optional: hazelnut chocolate piece

Hazelnut Cream icing (makes a generous amount of icing for 24 cupcakes)

225 grams unsalted butter, softened
370 grams of Nutella
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
40 grams confectioner's sugar, sifted
6-8 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C.
2. Cream butter and sugar together. Slowly add the egg, almond meal, flour, and cocoa powder while mixing.
3. Melt the chocolate and add into the mixture.
4. Divide the mix between the muffin lined tin 3/4 full. Bake 20 minutes. Allow to cool.
5. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and Nutella until well combined, thick and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Slowly add in confectioner’s sugar, and continue mixing until well blended.
6. Add salt, vanilla, and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add an additional 3-5 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk until you reach the desired consistency. Beat at high speed until frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

No-Bake Mixed Berry Lemon Cheesecake

Recipe adapted from My Baking Addiction

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sugar

zest of 2 lemons

1 (250 grams) package cream cheese, softened

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup whipped cream

1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries

1 packet of oreos

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and lemon zest until the sugar becomes moist and fragrant. Add cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add lemon juice and vanilla mixing to combine. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the whipped topping until well blended, then fold in the raspberries.
2. Place an oreo at the base of each serving dish and evenly pipe or spoon the filling into the individual serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with more berries (or even jelly as I have done).